The Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 when Walter P. Chrysler reorganized the fickle Maxwell Motor Company under his own name. The Chrysler Six led the brand as an affordable, high-compression six-cylinder engine backed by the first set of four hydraulic brakes on a consumer car. Chrysler would pick up Dodge later in the same decade, and continue to produce quality consumer vehicles as a part of the Detroit ‘Big Three.’ 1987 would see the acquisition of the Jeep brand as the final addition to the Chrysler line of vehicles.

Chrysler has been making big headlines over the past several years – most notably for slipping sales numbers, and changing ownership, and then ultimately getting bailed out by the government and going through bankruptcy. Cerberus Capital Management purchased 80.1% of the company in a deal that was finalized in August 2007. Chrysler was back with a new logo and high hopes for a return to some former glory. Then the economy tanked, and so did Chrysler. With the help of the government it made it through bankruptcy in record time and now has a new beginning.

We were on hand in Detroit for the unveiling of the iconic 2011 Chrysler 300 and 300c. Check out the photos and recap from the 2011 NAIAS!

Sites worth visiting

Chrysler, LLC
The ‘New Chrysler’ was formed as a Cerberus spin-off under the name Chrysler, LLC. This page is dedicated to that new company as well as their new vision. This new site offers a comprehensive look at the brand and the direction they plan to take the new marque.

Chrysler.com
Chrysler.com is the storefront for the Chrysler brand, offering vehicle specs, builds, and quotes for the everyday consumer. The site also offers support for owners, as well as a ‘Chrysler Experience’ site, showcasing some of the co-branding efforts of this major automaker. Our favorite feature is the photo and video section, showing the enthusiasts they’ve captured at various Chrysler events.

Chrysler on Wikipedia
The Chrysler page on Wikipedia focuses on the company as a conglomerate, highlighting important mergers and acquisitions and detailing changes to the company over time. The page even tracks the logo changes Chrysler has made over time, including the most recent shift back to the pentastar as the corporate logo.

Around the Blogosphere

Chrysler at Autoblog
There is certainly much ado about Chrysler these days, and our friends at Autoblog don’t let anything slip by. Follow the latest changes to the brand and the corporate strategy here. If one thing’s for certain, it’s change.

Chrysler Weblog
This site likes to keep things simple. It’s a weblog. About Chrysler. Imagine that. They focus mostly on the cars, and how Chrysler is releasing, implementing, and developing new models, though you will find coverage of big news stories as well.

Official Chrysler Blog
The Chrysler, LLC homepage has a link to the official blog that, surprisingly enough, maintains a fairly regular update schedule. You can expect the normal say-nothingness that you would from any corporate blog, but they do share some insight into company structure and the folks behind the scenes. An interesting read if you aren’t just looking for news.

Community Sites

Chrysler Forum
This forum site has a reasonably active member list of more than 4500 users. With subsections for every make and model and a nice ‘Brand Review’ section for users to post opinions, this is a touchstone for quality Chrysler information.

300C Forums
The new 300C has been one of the most popular large sedans of all time. It’s no wonder there’s a website dedicated to enthusiasts of this entry-level luxury auto. With more than 15,000 members, this site is an excellent hub for anything and everything about the 300C.

Crossfire Forums
It’s hard to talk about Chrysler without at least mentioning their hot little two-seater. This forum exists exclusively for Crossfire chatter. Check out the ‘Tech & Mods’ thread for the best tricks from the brightest tuners.

Recent News

Big Changes Ahead
It comes as no surprise that Chrysler is looking toward big changes for a return to profitability. When the changes include cutting 1,000 dealers and paring down the product portfolio, people start to pay close attention.

PT Going Down the Tubes?
Rumor has it: The PT Cruiser will soon be no more. Apparently America’s love affair with the Mafioso-inspired CUV is coming to an end as Chrysler plans to restructure their product portfolio.

Minivan the Maven of Versatility?
None of us like to admit that we drive a minivan, but they’re just so damn functional. What else lets you haul 3 kids and a dog without a lap full of drool at the end of a trip? Popular Mechanics thinks the Town & Country is one of the best minivans out there.